How to pass the RYA Yachtmaster practical exam

Halcyon Yachts

Halcyon Yachts

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Before you start, sit everyone down in the cockpit and explain what's expected of them in an informal and friendly manner. Always look after the crew - don't hog the helm or sit glued to the chart table. Be the first to wash-up and make tea (and always keep that with you). Tell jokes, have fun and keep a signal eye for any signs of sea-sickness. Lead by example and by authority.

Equally importantly, make sure the examiner sees you doing all the above!
 
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dgadee said:
And more money can be made by having the crew pay for Competent Crew awards. Result!
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For me all the Yachtmaster prep would have added much less value if I hadn’t been instructed on crew management too. I had sailed for 25 years at that point with family and as a couple but occasional non-sailing guests are no preparation for a crew who expect to be doing things, and doing them safely. I learnt loads and lots of that was tested. Without crew management as part of the exam I don’t think it’s Yachtmaster, it’s just a big boat dinghy certificate.
 
That's a really good checklist. I'd add even more emphasis to "know your colregs and theory really well". Getting thrown by not knowing a theory question, just as you start a practical exercise, will be an unnecessary distraction.
 
RupertW said:
For me all the Yachtmaster prep would have added much less value if I hadn’t been instructed on crew management too. I had sailed for 25 years at that point with family and as a couple but occasional non-sailing guests are no preparation for a crew who expect to be doing things, and doing them safely. I learnt loads and lots of that was tested. Without crew management as part of the exam I don’t think it’s Yachtmaster, it’s just a big boat dinghy certificate.
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Good for you and those who want that. But some of us are not really team players. Maybe the RYA could arrange a certificate for the grumpy loners.
 
dgadee said:
Good for you and those who want that. But some of us are not really team players. Maybe the RYA could arrange a certificate for the grumpy loners.
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Dinghy certificates already exist. The certs for Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper leading up to Yachtmaster are surely the clue in the name is that what is being taught and tested is an ability to lead on a boat, not just navigate. Sailing skills are almost incidental as it’s assumed you can do that bit just by carrying out all the requested action.
 
RupertW said:
Dinghy certificates already exist. The certs for Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper leading up to Yachtmaster are surely the clue in the name is that what is being taught and tested is an ability to lead on a boat, not just navigate. Sailing skills are almost incidental as it’s assumed you can do that bit just by carrying out all the requested action.
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When I started to sail a crew of 5 was not unusual on a 30 foot cruising boat. Now, with more advanced handling systems it seems to be more usual to see a couple, with the female not always keen on getting involved. You have to think of sailing as being solo with a crew member who may get things right or may not - even if you tell them what you expect. And these boats are often 40 or more feet these days.

Edit: change that. I have seen competent wives and hopeless husbands, too.
 
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Halcyon Yachts said:
Having researched this topic with several other Yachtmaster Instructors and Yachtmaster Examiners, I have put out a blog giving the top 15 tips and suggestions from some of the experts in the field...

What top tips would you give someone who is about to take the exam?

Here is the full article. RYA Yachtmaster Offshore. How to pass the practical exam. - Yacht Delivery Crew | Halcyon Yachts | International Yacht Deliveries

Pete
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1. Read / Devour the RYA Yachtmaster Handbook
2. Be familiar with the boat / type of boat before you get on for a prep week.... Using a boat with twin rudders for a first time was a shock for me.
3. Understand the plotter, make sure you can drop in waypoints and the like
4. Radar is now a big thing. Be aware of it, and play with it on a clear sunny day if possible
5. Do some dinghy sailing, a good way to practice MoB under sail.
 
RupertW said:
Dinghy certificates already exist. The certs for Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper leading up to Yachtmaster are surely the clue in the name is that what is being taught and tested is an ability to lead on a boat, not just navigate. Sailing skills are almost incidental as it’s assumed you can do that bit just by carrying out all the requested action.
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A dinghy certificate doesn't tell your insurance company you can manage a 40 footer on a 100 mile passage with navigation and everything that entails. I believe their point was that Yachtmaster doesn't tell them you can manage that solo either. Navigating offshore and managing a team are different things, I agree team management should be taught as an optional extra, but it's certainly not necessary or desirable for everyone. The distinction of crewed vs solo would be more useful than day/coastal differentiating on length of passage though!
 
RupertW said:
For me all the Yachtmaster prep would have added much less value if I hadn’t been instructed on crew management too. I had sailed for 25 years at that point with family and as a couple but occasional non-sailing guests are no preparation for a crew who expect to be doing things, and doing them safely. I learnt loads and lots of that was tested. Without crew management as part of the exam I don’t think it’s Yachtmaster, it’s just a big boat dinghy certificate.
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+lots. This book ought to be on page one in the RYA book list for YM's.

7FE4BD92-49B9-487A-A07C-2A5BE01DEEF5.jpeg
 
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lustyd said:
A dinghy certificate doesn't tell your insurance company you can manage a 40 footer on a 100 mile passage with navigation and everything that entails. I believe their point was that Yachtmaster doesn't tell them you can manage that solo either. Navigating offshore and managing a team are different things, I agree team management should be taught as an optional extra, but it's certainly not necessary or desirable for everyone. The distinction of crewed vs solo would be more useful than day/coastal differentiating on length of passage though!
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To be honest I'm not sure how much insurance company's are interested
we come cross no end of people who have very little experience who just did a week course to get an ICC then brought a big great boat 40 /50 footers and the insurance company don't blink an eye.
 
sailaboutvic said:
To be honest I'm not sure how much insurance company's are interested
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They discount for people having a qualification, more for bigger qualifications and more so for more adventurous sailing cover, so I assume they do care. Unfortunately the available qualifications are quite limiting in what they can accept, the RYA have a certain idea of what cruising should be and stick to it throughout. Forcing a person to manage a crew to get a certificate to prove they can handle a yacht solo on a transatlantic is obviously problematic, but it's what we have.
As I said, I do think they are useful skills and should be part of a course, just not necessarily every course, so was agreeing with dgadee.
 
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